As scientists around the globe are rapidly filling in the periodic table and President Obama has issued executive orders to start the beginnings of tighter gun control in America, I too have successfully managed to work on some of my goals for the new year.
Friends, I am on top of my laundry.
I have discovered that the secret of success is to set manageable goals, write a list, break down the list into smaller tasks and then cross off your successful items as you accomplish them.
For instance, my goals for the week have included the following: 1) do laundry.
It was a small list so in the interest in making the list longer to make myself feel better about my January to-dos, I broke the list down even further: 1) do laundry 1.1) find all of the dirty laundry the kids have deposited around the house 1.2) bring the laundry downstairs to the laundry room 1.3) put the laundry in the washing machine 1.4) wait for laundry to be done 1.5) have a snack 1.6) read a few chapters of my book 1.7) transfer the laundry to the dryer 1.8) read a few more chapters 1.9) get clean laundry from dryer 2.0) fold laundry 2.1) refold laundry after dog jumps on clean laundry and knocks it to the floor 2.2) put laundry away 2.3) repeat as necessary.
Check, check and check. What was one task done, is now fourteen.
Look at me go.
In the period after Christmas and New Year's Eve, most people will take stock of the previous year.
What did I do last year?
What did I want to do last year and didn't do (and why)?
What do I want to do this year?
In the future, I will not remember the fact that I did laundry and broke my to-do list down into ridiculously small steps. I will remember that in 2015, my son turned four and my daughter turned two. My son fearlessly rode his glider bike as fast as he could down exceptionally steep hills. My daughter decided that she no longer needed help with anything and could successfully put on her own socks and shoes and peel her own orange.
My husband played the main stage at the Canada Winter Games. My hometown hosted the Canada Winter Games and did a fantastic job.
My family played together, rode bikes, went sledding and roller skating. A friend was diagnosed with a serious medical condition. A family member was hospitalized.
A friend died. A friend's first baby was born. We went to a family reunion. We went to my grandfather's 80th birthday. My grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Last year was busy for me and my family and although there were mixed blessings in a very challenging year, I hope that this upcoming year is as exciting and filled with joy and a lot of quality time with my family and friends.
For certain, there will be more laundry.
